System and method for switching between seed types during a multi-variety seed planting operation

ABSTRACT

When performing a seed planting operation, a variety change distance may be calculated that corresponds to the distance from a variety zone boundary of a prescription map that a row unit of a planter must be located prior to initiating a variety change procedure for switching seed types. Once the row unit reaches a variety change boundary spaced apart from the variety zone boundary by the calculated variety change distance, a system controller may initiate the variety change procedure to allow the seed type being planted to be efficiently and effectively switched as the planter makes a planting pass across the field.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to row-crop planters orseeders and, more particularly, to a system and method for switchingbetween seed types when performing a multi-variety seed plantingoperation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern farming practices strive to increase yields of agriculturalfields. Technological advances in the area of planting implements orplanters allow for better agronomic characteristics at the time ofplanting, such as providing more accurate seed depth, improveduniformity of seed depth across the planter, and improved accuracy ofin-row seed spacing. However, a single field can have performanceinconsistencies between different areas of the field. That is because afield can have a wide variety of soil types and management zones, suchas irrigated and non-irrigated zones in different areas. To address thisissue, seed companies have developed multiple varieties of each of theirseed product types, with the different varieties offering improvedperformance characteristics for different types of soil and managementpractices.

In this regard, efforts have been made to plant multiple varieties of aparticular seed product type in different areas of fields with differentsoil types or management zones. For example, planters have beendeveloped that include separate bulk fill hoppers for different seedvarieties and that require the reservoir for each seed meter becompletely cleaned out or planted out before a different seed varietycan be delivered to the seed meters. However, it is often quitedifficult to determine when a given seed meter has been completelyemptied of seeds to allow a new seed type to be delivered to the meter.As a result, current planting systems are typically ill-equipped toeffectively and efficiently automatically switch between seed typesduring the performance of a planting operation.

Accordingly, an improved system and method that allows for moreefficient and accurate switching between seed varieties or types whenperforming a planting operation would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method forswitching seed types between a first seed type and a second seed typeduring a planting operation. The method may include monitoring alocation of a row unit of a planting implement within a field as theplanting implement makes a planting pass across the field while seeds ofthe first seed type are being discharged from a seed meter of the rowunit. The method may also include determining that the row unit willencounter a variety zone boundary along the planting pass, wherein thevariety zone boundary identifies a location within the field at which itis prescribed to switch from planting seeds of the first seed type toplanting seeds of the second seed type. Additionally, the method mayinclude accessing a transition split percentage associated with atransition distance to be traversed by the row unit relative to thevariety zone boundary across which seeds of both the first and secondseed types will be planted and determining a variety change distancerelative to the variety zone boundary based at least in part on thetransition split percentage and a starvation distance associated withsubstantially evacuating the seed meter of the seeds of the first seedtype. Further, the method may include terminating a supply of seeds ofthe first seed type to the seed meter when the row unit is located adistance from the variety zone boundary corresponding to the varietychange distance and initiating a supply of seeds of the second seed typeto the seed meter once the row unit has traveled the starvation distanceacross the field upon terminating the supply of the seeds of the firstseed type to the seed meter.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a systemfor switching seed types between a first seed type and a second seedtype when performing a planting operation with a row unit of a plantingimplement. The system may include a seed meter, a seed supply deviceconfigured to regulate a supply of seeds of the first seed type and thesecond seed type to the seed meter, and a controller communicativelycoupled to the seed supply device. The controller may include aprocessor and associated memory. The memory may store instructions that,when implemented by the processor, configure the controller to monitor alocation of the row unit within a field as the planting implement makesa planting pass across the field while seeds of the first seed type arebeing discharged from the seed meter. The controller may also beconfigured to determine that the row unit will encounter a variety zoneboundary along the planting pass, wherein the variety zone boundaryidentifies a location within the field at which it is prescribed toswitch from planting seeds of the first seed type to planting seeds ofthe second seed type. Additionally, the controller may be configured toaccess a transition split percentage associated with a transitiondistance to be traversed by the row unit relative to the variety zoneboundary across which seeds of both the first and second seed types willbe planted and determine a variety change distance relative to thevariety zone boundary based at least in part on the transition splitpercentage and a starvation distance associated with substantiallyevacuating the seed meter of seeds of the first seed type. Moreover, thecontroller may be configured to control the operation of the seed supplydevice to terminate the supply of seeds of the first seed type to theseed meter when the row unit is located a distance from the variety zoneboundary corresponding to the variety change distance and control theoperation of the seed supply device to initiate the supply of seeds ofthe second seed type to the seed meter once the row unit has traveledthe starvation distance across the field upon terminating the supply ofthe seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a planter inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a row unit suitablefor use with a planter in accordance with aspects of the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a seed supply arrangement for supplying seeds ofdiffering types to a seed meter in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a system forswitching seed types between a first seed type and a second seed typewhen performing a planting operation with a row unit of a plantingimplement in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example view of one embodiment of a plantingprescription map in accordance with aspects of the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical view of various distances, such as avariety change distance, a starvation distance, and a transitiondistance, that may be calculated or determined in accordance withaspects of the present subject matter to switch between seed typesduring the performance of a planting operation;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a controlalgorithm that may be executed when switching seed types during aplanting operation in accordance with aspects of the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a sub-algorithmthat may be executed when performing the control algorithm shown in FIG.7 in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of anothersub-algorithm that may be executed when performing the control algorithmshown in FIG. 7 in accordance with aspects of the present subjectmatter; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method forswitching seed types between a first seed type and a second seed typewhen performing a planting operation with a row unit of a plantingimplement in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system andmethod for switching between seed types when performing a seed plantingoperation. Specifically, in several embodiments, a variety changedistance may be calculated that corresponds to the distance from avariety zone boundary of a prescription map that a row unit of a plantermust be located prior to initiating a variety change procedure forswitching seed types. Once the row unit reaches a variety changeboundary spaced apart from the variety zone boundary by the calculatedvariety change distance, a controller of the system may initiate thevariety change procedure to allow the seed type being planted to beefficiently and effectively switched as the row unit makes a plantingpass across the field.

Referring now to drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of oneembodiment of a planting implement or planter 20 in accordance withaspects of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 1, the planter20 may include a laterally extending toolbar or frame assembly 22connected at its middle to a forwardly extending tow bar 24 to allow theplanter 20 to be towed by a work vehicle (not shown), such as anagricultural tractor, in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated byarrow 26). The frame assembly 22 may generally be configured to supporta plurality of seed planting units (or row units) 28. As is generallyunderstood, each row unit 28 may be configured to deposit seeds at adesired depth beneath the soil surface and at a desired seed spacing asthe planter 20 is being towed by the work vehicle, thereby establishingrows of planted seeds. In some embodiments, the bulk of the seeds to beplanted may be stored in one or more seed tanks 30. Thus, as seeds areplanted by the row units 28, a pneumatic distribution system maydistribute additional seeds from the seed tanks 30 to the individual rowunits 28. Additionally, as will be described below, each row unit 28 mayalso include one or more individual seed hoppers for locally storingseeds at the row unit 28.

It should be appreciated that, for purposes of illustration, only aportion of the row units 28 of the planter 20 have been shown in FIG. 1.In general, the planter 20 may include any number of row units 28, suchas 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 36 row units. In addition, it should beappreciated that the lateral spacing between row units 28 may beselected based on the type of crop being planted. For example, the rowunits 28 may be spaced approximately 30 inches from one another forplanting corn, and approximately 15 inches from one another for plantingsoybeans.

It should also be appreciated that the configuration of the planter 20described above and shown in FIG. 1 is provided only to place thepresent subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should beappreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable toany manner of planter configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of one embodiment of a row unit 28is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.As shown, the row unit 28 includes a linkage assembly 40 configured tomount the row unit 28 to the toolbar or frame assembly 22 of the planter20. As shown in FIG. 2, the row unit 28 also includes a furrow openingassembly 42, a furrow closing assembly 44, and a press wheel 46. Ingeneral, the furrow opening assembly 42 may include a gauge wheel (notshown) operatively connected to a frame 50 of the row unit 28 via asupport arm 52. Additionally, the opening assembly 42 may also includeone or more opening disks 54 configured to excavate a furrow, or trench,in the soil. As is generally understood, the gauge wheel may beconfigured to engage the surface of the field, with the height of theopening disk(s) 54 being adjusted with respect to the position of thegauge wheel to set the desired depth of the furrow being excavated.Moreover, as shown, the furrow closing assembly 44 may include a closingdisk(s) 56 configured to close the furrow after seeds have beendeposited into the furrow. The press wheel 46 may then be configured toroll over the closed furrow to firm the soil over the seed and promotefavorable seed-to-soil contact.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the row unit 28 may include one ormore seed hoppers 58, 60 and, optionally, a granular chemical producthopper 62 supported on the frame 50. In general, the seed hopper(s) 58,60 may be configured to store seeds to be gravitationally depositedwithin the furrow as the row unit 28 moves over and across the field.For instance, in one embodiment, the row unit 28 may include a firstseed hopper 58 configured to store seeds 64 (FIG. 3) of a first seedtype and a second hopper 60 configured to store seeds 66 (FIG. 3) of asecond seed type. In another embodiment, the row unit 28 may includemore than two seed hoppers, with each seed hopper storing a differentseed type. Alternatively, a single seed hopper may be used to store morethan one type of seed. For example, a single seed hopper may beinternally divided (e.g., via a divider wall(s)) so as to defineseparate seed chambers or compartments for storing differing seed types.

Moreover, the row unit 28 may include a seed meter 68 provided inoperative association with the seed hopper(s) 58, 60. In general, theseed meter 68 may be configured to uniformly release seeds received fromthe seed hopper(s) 58, 60 for deposit within the furrow. For instance,the seed meter 68 may be coupled to a suitable vacuum source 70 (e.g., ablower powered by a motor and associated tubing or hoses) configured togenerate a vacuum or negative pressure that attaches the seeds to arotating seed disk (not shown) of the seed meter 68, which controls therate at which the seeds are output from the seed meter 68 to anassociated seed tube 72. As shown in FIG. 2, the seed tube 72 may extendvertically between the seed meter 68 and the ground to facilitatedelivery of the seeds output from the seed meter 68 to the furrow.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the row unit 28described above and shown in FIG. 2 is provided only to place thepresent subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should beappreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable toany manner of row unit configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic view of one embodiment of seedsupply arrangement for supplying different types of seeds to the seedmeter 68 of a row unit 28 is illustrated in accordance with aspects ofthe present subject matter. As shown, the first and second seed hoppers58, 60 of the row unit 28 may each include a respective seed dischargeoutlet 74, 76, with each seed discharge outlet 74, 76 feeding into arespective input conduit 78, 80 in flow communication with a seed supplydevice 104. In general, the seed supply device 104 may correspond to anysuitable device or mechanism (including any combination of devices ormechanisms) configured to regulate the supply of seeds 64, 66 from thefirst and second seed hoppers 58, 60 to the seed meter 68. For instance,as indicated above, seeds 64 of a first seed type may be stored withinthe first seed hopper 58 while seeds 66 of a second seed type may bestored within the second seed hopper 60. In such an embodiment, the seedsupply device 104 may be configured to control the flow of seeds 64, 66to the seed meter 68 based on the desired or selected seed type to beplanted. For instance, when it is desired to supply seeds 64 of thefirst seed type to the seed meter 68, the seed supply device 104 mayblock the flow of seeds 66 through the input conduit 80 associated withthe second seed hopper 60 while allowing seeds 64 from the first seedhopper 58 to flow through its associated input conduit 78 and besupplied to the seed meter 68. Similarly, when it is desired to supplyseeds 66 of the second seed type to the seed meter 68, the seed supplydevice 104 may block the flow of seeds 64 through the input conduit 78associated with the first seed hopper 58 while allowing seeds 66 fromthe second seed hopper 60 to flow through its associated input conduit80 and be supplied to the seed meter 68.

It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the seed supply device100 may correspond to one or more control valves configured to regulatethe supply of seeds 64, 66 to the seed meter 68. For example, in oneembodiment, a single control valve may be used that is configured to beselectively actuated between a first position in which seeds 64 of thefirst seed type are supplied from the first seed hopper 58 to the seedmeter 68, a second position in which seeds 66 of the second type aresupplied from the second seed hopper 60 to the seed meter 68, and athird position in which the control valve(s) stops the supply or flow ofseeds 64, 66 from both of the seed hoppers 58, 60 to the seed meter 68.Alternatively, the seed supply device 104 may include two separatecontrol valves (e.g., a first control valve provided in operativeassociation with the input conduit 78 for the first seed hopper 58 and asecond control valve provided in operative association with the inputconduit 80 for the second seed hopper 60), with each valve configured tobe actuated between opened and closed states for controlling the flow ofseeds 64, 66 from its respective seed hopper 58, 60 to the seed meter68.

Additionally, in particular embodiment, the seed supply device 104 mayinclude actively controlled gates configured to be actuated betweenopened and closed positions to control the flow of seeds 64, 66 to theseed member 68. For example, a first seed gate may be provided inoperative association with the input conduit 78 for the first seedhopper 58 for controlling the flow of seeds 64 of the first seed type tothe seed meter 68. Similarly, a second seed gate may be provided inoperative association with the input conduit 80 for the second seedhopper 60 for controlling the flow of seeds 66 of the second seed typeto the seed meter 68.

Regardless of the specific configuration of the seed supply device 104,such device 104 may be configured to be actively controlled to allowinstantaneous control of the flow of seeds 64, 66 to the seed meter 68.For instance, as schematically shown in FIG. 3 and as will be describedbelow, the operation of the seed supply device 104 may be controlled viaan electronic controller 102 communicatively coupled to the device 104.In such an embodiment, the controller 102 may be configured to transmitsuitable control signals to the seed supply device 104 for controllingits operation, thereby allowing the controller 102 to actively controlthe supply of seeds 64, 66 to the seed mete 68. For instance, thecontroller 102 may control the operation of the seed supply device 104to cut off the supply of seeds 64, 66 from one of the seed hoppers 58,60 while allowing seeds 64, 66 from the other seed hopper 58, 60 to beconveyed to the seed meter 68. Similarly, the controller 102 may controlthe operation of the seed supply device 104 such that the supply ofseeds 64, 66 from both seed hoppers 58, 60 is either cut-off or turnedon.

It should be appreciated that, although the seeds 64, 66 containedwithin the seed hoppers 58, 60 will generally be described herein ascorresponding to different seed “types,” it should be appreciated thatthe description of the different types includes different varieties orhybrids. In other words, the different types of seeds may include notonly different varieties of the same plant species, but also differentseed products. In this regard, different seed products can include seedsof different species as well as coated and uncoated seeds, such asinsecticide coated and non-insecticide coated seeds. The different seedproducts can also include refuge in a bag seed and non-refuge in a bagseed, plant-parasite resistant seed and non-plant-parasite resistantseed, such as cyst nematode resistant seeds and non-cyst nematoderesistant seeds, seed tolerant to herbicide and seed not tolerant toherbicide, or other different products.

It should also be appreciated that the configuration of the seed supplyarrangement described above and shown in FIG. 3 is provided only toplace the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, itshould be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readilyadaptable to any manner of seed supply arrangement for supplying seedsof differing types to the seed meter 68 of each row unit 28. Forinstance, as indicated above, in another embodiment, a single seedhopper may be provided at each row unit 28, with the seed hopper beingdivided into separate compartments or chambers for storing seeds ofdiffering types. In such an embodiment, the seed supply device 104 maybe configured to regulate the supply of seeds from each compartment orchamber of the single seed hopper to control which type of seed isdelivered to the seed meter 68. Alternatively, in embodiments in whicheach row unit 28 is not configured to store different seed types locallyvia separate hoppers or a multi-chamber hopper, the seed supply device104 may be configured to regulate the supply of seeds from the seedtanks 30 of the planter 20 to control which type of seed is delivered tothe seed meter 68. For instance, when seeds of differing types areconfigured to be supplied from the seed tanks 30 via a pneumaticdistribution system, the seed supply device 104 may be provided inoperative association with the pneumatic distribution system to controlwhich type of seed is being delivered to the seed meters 68 of the rowunits 28, either individually or collectively.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic view of one embodiment of a system100 for switching between seed types during the performance of a seedplanting operation is illustrated in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter. In general, the system 100 will be describedherein with reference to the planting implement 20 and the row unit 28described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as the seedsupply arrangement shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be appreciatedthat the disclosed system 100 may generally be utilized with any planteror seeder having any suitable implement configuration and/or with rowunits having any suitable row unit configuration. Similarly, thedisclosed system 100 may generally be utilized with any suitable seedsupply arrangement for regulating the supply of seeds to the seed meter68 of a row unit 28.

In several embodiments, the system 100 may include a controller 102 andvarious other components configured to be communicatively coupled toand/or controlled by the controller 102, such as one or more seed supplydevices 104 (e.g., one seed supply device 104 per row unit 28). As willbe described in greater detail below, the controller 102 may beconfigured to monitor the location of a row unit(s) 28 of the planter 20within a field relative to an associated planting prescription map todetermine whether the row unit(s) 28 will encounter a variety zoneboundary (i.e., a boundary at which it is prescribed to switch the seedtype being planted) along a given planting pass being made across thefield. In the event that it is determined that a row unit(s) 28 willencounter a variety zone boundary, the controller 102 may be configuredto calculate a variety change distance corresponding to a distance fromthe variety zone boundary at which the controller 102 will need toinitiate a variety change procedure to allow the seed type currentlybeing planted to be switched or changed. The controller 102 may thendefine a variety change boundary corresponding to a location in thefield along the current planting pass that is spaced apart from thevariety zone boundary by the calculated variety change distance. Once agiven row unit(s) 28 has reached the variety change boundary, thecontroller 102 may control the operation of the seed supply device(s)104 for that given row in order to implement the variety changeprocedure to switch the seed type currently being planted. For instance,when switching from a first seed type to a second seed type, thecontroller may be configured to control the seed supply device(s) of theassociated row unit(s) 28 so as to initially cut-off or terminate thesupply of seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter 68 when thevariety change boundary is reached, thereby allowing the seeds of thefirst seed type to be substantially evacuated from the seed meter 68.Thereafter, the controller 102 may be configured to control the seedsupply device(s) 104 to turn-on or initiate the supply of seeds of thesecond seed type to the meter 68, thereby allowing the seed type beingplanted to be switched.

In general, the controller 102 may correspond to any suitableprocessor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combinationof computing devices. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 102 maygenerally include one or more processor(s) 110 and associated memorydevices 112 configured to perform a variety of computer-implementedfunctions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculationsand the like disclosed herein). As used herein, the term “processor”refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as beingincluded in a computer, but also refers to a controller, amicrocontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits. Additionally, the memory 112 may generally comprise memoryelement(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium(e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatilemedium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read onlymemory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc(DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory 112 maygenerally be configured to store information accessible to theprocessor(s) 110, including data 114 that can be retrieved, manipulated,created and/or stored by the processor(s) 110 and instructions 116 thatcan be executed by the processor(s) 110.

In several embodiments, the data 114 may be stored in one or moredatabases. For example, the memory 112 may include a plantingprescription database 118 for storing data associated with one or moreprescription maps for performing a seed planting operation within afield. As is generally understood, a planting prescription map maydivide a field into two or more seed variety zones, with each seedvariety zone specifying a specific seed type to be planted within thearea of the field encompassed by such seed variety zone. In suchinstance, a variety zone boundary may be defined within the prescriptionmap at the intersection of two adjacent seed variety zones. Depending onthe planting prescription for the field, the variety zone boundary willoften correspond to the location at which the seed type being planted isto be switched from a given seed type to a different seed type.

For instance, an example planting prescription map (PM) is shown in FIG.5. As shown, the prescription map PM identifies which type or varietyzones VZ1, VZ2, are located where in the agricultural field and whichtypes of seeds can be planted in the variety zones VZ1, VZ2. As shown inFIG. 5, in this embodiment, seeds of the first seed type (e.g., seeds 64shown in FIG. 3) are shown as being acceptable for use in variety zoneVZ1, corresponding to a recommended type A. Similarly, seeds of thesecond seed type (e.g., seeds 66 shown in FIG. 3) are shown as beingacceptable for use in variety zone VZ2, corresponding to a recommendedtype B. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a variety zone boundary (VZB)is defined at each intersection or interface defined between adjacentvariety zones VZ1, VZ2. Thus, when transitioning from the first varietyzone V1 to the second variety zone V2 or vice versa, the variety zoneboundary VZB may generally define the location at which the seed typebeing planted is to be switched. For example, assuming a row unit(s) 28of the planter 20 is located at position X within the field and istraveling in a travel direction indicated by arrow 120, the prescriptionmap PM specifies that the row unit(s) 28 will need to switch fromplanting the second seed type to planting the first seed type as the rowunit(s) 28 crosses the variety zone boundary VZB defined between thesecond variety zone VZ2 and the first variety zone VZ1 at location Y.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the memory 112 of the controller 102 may alsoinclude a variety change database 122 for storing data associated withone or more parameters that affect or impact switching between seedtypes during the performance of the planting operation. For example, inseveral embodiments, the variety change database 122 may includecalibration data associated with an estimated number of seeds thatshould be remaining within the seed meter 68 upon cutting-off the supplya given seed type to the meter 68. Such data may be obtained, forinstance, by conducting experiments in which the seed meter 68 iscontinuously supplied seeds of a given seed type for a period of time toallow the meter 68 to reach steady state operation. The supply of seedsto the seed meter 68 may then be cut-off and the number of seedscontained within the seed meter 68 (or subsequently discharged from theseed meter 68) counted to obtain a starvation seed count for the seedmeter 68. This process may be repeated multiple times for each seed typeto obtain an average starvation seed count for each individual seedtype. As will be described below, this seed count data may besubsequently used by the controller 102 to determine a starvationdistance across which a row unit(s) 28 will travel after terminating thesupply of seed of a given seed type to the seed meter 68 prior to theseeds being substantially evacuated from the meter 68.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the starvationseed count stored within the variety change database 122 may be lessthan the actual, experimentally obtained seed count to provide a seedmargin or buffer to prevent the seed meter 68 from being completelystarved of seeds during the planting operation, which would lead toskips within the field. For instance, in one embodiment, the starvationseed count stored within the variety change database 122 may be at least5% less than the experimentally obtained seed count, such as at least10% less than the experimentally obtained seed count, or at least 15%less than the experimentally obtained seed count or at least 20% lessthan the experimentally obtained seed count. As a result, whenperforming the variety change procedure disclosed herein, the controller102 may calculate a starvation distance that is less than the actualdistance required to starve out the seed meter 68, thereby preventingseed skips within the field.

Additionally, in several embodiments, the variety change database 122may include calibration data associated with one or more transitionparameters for switching between seed types during the plantingoperation. Specifically, as indicated above, given that a seed margin orbuffer is utilized for the seed starvation data, a number of seeds ofthe previous seed type will be remaining within the seed meter 68 whenswitching to the new seed type. As a result, a mixture of the two seedtypes will initially be contained within the seed meter 68 uponcutting-on or initiating the supply of new seeds to the seed meter 68.Accordingly, in one embodiment, an experimental analysis may beperformed to determine an estimated transition duration across which ittakes for effectively all of the seeds of the previous seed type (e.g.,with a given tolerance range) to be discharged from the seed meter 68 sothat the remaining seeds effectively correspond to only the new seedtype. As will be described below, by knowing the planting rate for theseed meter 68, the estimated transition duration may be used by thecontroller 102 to determine a transition distance across which the rowunit(s) 28 will travel after initiating the supply of seeds of the newseed type to the seed meter 68 prior to the seeds of the previous seedtype being effectively evacuated from the meter 68.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to utilizing an estimatedtransition duration (or as an alternative thereto), a predetermined seedtransition ratio may be used as a means for calculating the transitiondistance. For example, based on an experimental analysis or any othersuitable data, it may be determined or estimated that the seeds of thenew seed type will be discharged from the seed meter 68 at a given ratiocompared to the seeds of the previous seed type. For instance, if a 2:1seed transition ratio is used, it may be assumed that, for every twoseeds of the new seed type discharged from the seed meter 68, a singleseed of the previous seed type will be discharged from the meter 68. Insuch an embodiment, by knowing the seed buffer or margin utilized withthe seed starvation data, an estimated remaining seed count may bedetermined for the seeds of the previous seed type. Thereafter, byknowing the planting spacing (e.g., inch/seed) for the row unit(s) 28,the transition distance across which the row unit(s) 28 will travelafter initiating the supply of the new seed type to the seed meter 68prior to the seeds of the previous seed type being effectively evacuatedfrom the meter 68 can be determined.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the variety change database 120 may alsoinclude data associated with one or more operator-defined settings forswitching between seed types. For instance, as will be described below,an operator of the planter 20 may be allowed to define a transitionsplit percentage corresponding to the percentage of the transitiondistance to be defined before an encountered variety zone boundary. Thismay allow the operator to select how the transition distance is splitacross each variety zone boundary. For instance, by selecting atransition split percentage of 80% for a selected variety zone, thetransition distance would be split relative to an associated varietyzone boundary such that 80% of the distance is defined across theselected variety zone and 20% of the distance is defined across thevariety zone located on the opposed side of the variety zone boundary.Such a split percentage may be selected, for example, if the operatordesires for the majority of the transition phase to occur in theselected variety zone in order to reduce the amount of mixed varietiesplanted in the opposed variety zone.

Referring still to FIG. 4, in several embodiments, the instructions 116stored within the memory 112 of the controller 102 may be executed bythe processor(s) 110 to implement a variety change detection module 124.In general, the variety change detection module 124 may be configured tomonitor the location of the row unit(s) 28 within the field to determinewhether the row unit(s) 28 will encounter a variety zone boundary alonga given planting pass being made across the field. For instance, thevariety change detection module 124 may be configured to receive dataassociated with the location of the row unit(s) 28 within the field froma given positioning device communicatively coupled to the controller102, such as a GPS device 126. Based on the location data, the varietychange detection module 124 may then track the location of the rowunit(s) 28 within the field relative to the prescription map storedwithin the controller's memory 112 to determine whether the row unit(s)28 will encounter a variety zone boundary along the current plantingpass being made. For instance, the various planting passes to be made bythe planter 20 may be preprogrammed into the controller's memory 112and, thus, may be accessible to the variety change detection module 124.Thus, by monitoring the current position of the row unit(s) 28 relativeto the prescription map and by knowing the path that the row unit(s) 28will take across the field as it makes its current planting pass, thevariety change detection module 124 may identify whether a variety zoneboundary will be encountered along each row unit's anticipated path.

In the event that it is determined that the row unit(s) 28 willencounter a given variety zone boundary of the prescription map, thevariety change detection module 124 may be configured to calculate avariety change distance relative to such variety zone boundary.Specifically, in several embodiments, the variety change detectionmodule 124 may calculate the variety change distance based on estimatedstarvation and transition distances across which the row unit(s) 28 willbe traversed when switching between seed types along with anoperator-selected transition split percentage. The details of suchcalculation will be described in greater detail below. Once calculated,the variety change distance may then be used by the variety changedetection module 124 to define a variety change boundary relative to thevariety zone boundary corresponding to the location within the field atwhich the controller 102 will need initiate a variety change procedureto allow the seed type currently being planted to be switched orchanged.

A graphical example of a variety change boundary that may be defined bythe variety change detection module 124 relative a given variety zoneboundary is illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown, a variety zone boundary(indicated by line VZB in FIG. 6) is defined between a first varietyzone VZ1 in which it is prescribed to plant seeds of a first seed typeand a second variety zone VZ2 in which it is prescribed to plant seedsof a second seed type. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the planter 20is traveling along a path within the field such that the row unit(s) 28will encounter the variety zone boundary VZB as it moves from the firstvariety zone VZ1 to the second variety zone VZ2, thereby requiring achange in seed type from the first seed type to the second seed type. Asindicated above, to switch from the first seed type to the second seedtype, the controller 102 may be configured to initiate a variety changeprocedure during which the supply of seed of the first seed type iscut-off from the seed meter 68 prior to turning on the supply of seedsof the second seed type to the seed meter 68.

Due to the implementation of such procedure, the variety change mayinclude two phases, namely a starvation phase during which the seeds ofthe first seed type are substantially starved out or evacuated from theseed meter 68 and a transition phase during which the seed meter 68contains a mixture of seeds of the first and second seed types prior tothe seeds of the first seed type being effectively evacuated from theseed meter 68 (e.g., evacuated to within an acceptable tolerance range,as described below with reference to the effective changeover boundary).As shown in FIG. 6, the starvation phase may generally be represented bya starvation distance (SD) across which the row unit(s) 28 is traversedas the seeds of the first seed type are being substantially starved outor evacuated from the seed meter 68. Similarly, the transition phase maygenerally be represented by a transition distance (TD) across which thewhich the row unit(s) 28 is traversed while planting a mixture of theseed types prior to the seeds of the first seed type being effectivelyevacuated from the seed meter 68.

By calculating or knowing both the starvation distance SD and thetransition distance TD, the variety change detection module 126 may beconfigured to calculate a variety change distance (VCD) corresponding tothe distance from the variety zone boundary VZB that the row unit(s) 28must be located prior to initiating the variety change procedure. Indoing so, the variety change detection module 126 may also be configuredto account for any operator-defined settings associated with definingthe transition phase of the variety change procedure relative to thevariety zone boundary VZB. For example, as indicated above, the operatormay be allowed to select a transition split percentage (TS %)corresponding to the percentage of the transition distance TD to bedefined before an encountered variety zone boundary VZB. Thus, as shownin FIG. 6, the transition split percentage TS % may specify how much ofthe transition distance TD is defined along either side of the varietyzone boundary VZB. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, atransition split percentage TS % of 50% has been applied such that thetransition distance TD is split evenly between the first and secondvariety zones VZ1, VZ2. However, the transition split percentage TS %may generally correspond to any suitable percentage ranging from 0% to100%. For example, by applying a transition split percentage TS % of100%, the transition distance TD would be defined entirely within thefirst variety zone VZ1 such that the variety change procedure iscompleted as the row unit(s) 28 crosses the variety zone boundary VZB.Similarly, by applying a transition split percentage TS % of 20%, thetransition distance TD would be split between the first and secondvariety zones VZ1, VZ2 such that 20% of the transition distance TD isdefined with the first variety zone VZ1 and 80% of the transitiondistance TD is defined within the second variety zone VZ2 20%.

In one embodiment, when taking into account the transition splitpercentage TS %, the variety change distance VCD may be calculatedaccording to the following equation (Equation I):VCD=TS %*TD+SD

wherein, VCD corresponds to the variety change distance, TS %corresponds to the transition split percentage, TD corresponds to thepredetermined transition distance, and SD corresponds to the starvationdistance.

As shown in FIG. 6, by calculating the variety change distance VCD, avariety change boundary (VCB) may be defined relative to the varietyzone boundary VZB that identifies the location within the field at whichthe variety change procedure is to be initiated by the controller 102.Thus, when the row unit(s) 28 reaches the variety change boundary VCB,the variety change procedure may be initiated to allow the seed typebeing planted to be switched from the first seed type to the second seedtype.

It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the variety changedistance VCD may correspond to the distance across which the row unit(s)28 is moved while such row unit(s) 28 is actively planting seeds. Forinstance, if the row unit(s) 28 encounters a variety change boundary VCBand initiates the variety change procedure, but then subsequentlyencounters a non-active area within the field (e.g., an area that hasalready been planted or that should not be planted), the row unit(s) 28may stop planting seeds (and, thus, stop the variety change procedure)as the row unit(s) 28 is moved across this non-active area. In such anembodiment, the distance across the non-active area along which the rowunit(s) 28 is moved may not be counted as part of the variety changedistance VCD and the variety change procedure may be continued once therow unit(s) 28 has re-entered an area of the field that is intended tobe planted.

It should also be appreciated that, due to the configuration and natureof operation of seed meters, it may be acceptable (or unavoidable) thata minimal amount of seeds of the first seed type may still remain withinthe seed meter 58 at the end of the calculated or estimated transitiondistance TD. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the end of the transitiondistance TD may, in several embodiments, be defined by an effectivechangeover boundary (ECB) that corresponds to the location at which theseeds of the first seed type have been effectively evacuated from theseed meter within an acceptable tolerance range. For example, asindicated above, an experimental analysis may be performed to determinean estimated transition time across which it takes for effectively allof the seeds of the first seed type to be discharged from the seed meter68 so that the remaining seeds effectively correspond to only the secondseed type. In such an embodiment, the estimated transition time may bedetermined based on when the seeds of the first seed type have beeneffectively evacuated from the seed meter within an acceptable tolerancerange, thereby indicating an “effective changeover” between seed types.For instance, in several embodiments, it may be determined that theseeds of the first seed type have been effectively evacuated from theseed meter 68 when at least 70% of the seeds discharged from the seedmeter 68 over a minimum number of consecutively discharged seeds (e.g.,40 seeds) correspond to seeds of the second seed type, such as when atleast 80% of the seeds discharged from the seed meter 68 over a minimumnumber of consecutively discharged seeds correspond to seeds of thesecond seed type, or when at least 90% of the seeds discharged from theseed meter 68 over a minimum number of consecutively discharged seedscorrespond to seeds of the second seed type. By determining theestimated transition time based on the “effective changeover” betweenseed types, the controller 102 may determine the transition distance TDacross which the row unit(s) 28 will travel after initiating the supplyof seeds of the second seed type to the seed meter 68 prior to the seedsof the first seed type being effectively evacuated from the meter 68.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the instructions 116 stored within the memory112 of the controller 102 may also be executed by the processor(s) 110to implement a variety change execution module 128. In general, thevariety change execution module 128 may be configured to execute thevariety change procedure for switching between seed types during aplanting operation. As indicated above, the variety change boundary VCBidentified by the variety change detection module 124 may serve as thetrigger for initiating the variety change procedure. Specifically, inseveral embodiments, the variety change execution module 128 may beconfigured to monitor the location of the row unit(s) 28 relative to thevariety change boundary VCB. Once the row unit(s) 28 reaches the varietychange boundary VCB, the variety change execution module 128 may beconfigured to initiate the starvation phase of the variety changeprocedure by cutting-off or terminating the supply of seeds of thecurrent seed type to the meter 68. For instance, the variety changeexecution module 128 may control the operation of each seed supplydevice 104 such that the supply of seeds of the current seed type iscut-off to the meter 68. Thereafter, once the row unit(s) 28 hastraveled a distance from the variety change boundary VCB correspondingto the starvation distance SD (thereby allowing the seed meter 68 to besubstantially evacuated of seeds of the current seed type), the varietychange execution module 128 may be configured to turn on or initiate thesupply of seeds of the new seed type to the seed meter 68 (e.g., viacontrol of the seed supply device(s) 104) to begin the final, transitionphase of the variety change procedure. The variety change procedure iscompleted once the remaining seeds of the first seed type areeffectively evacuated from the seed meter 68. Thereafter, the seeds ofthe new seed type may continue to be supplied to the seed meter 68 toallow such seeds to be planted across the new variety zone beingtraversed by the row unit(s) 28.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the instructions 116 stored within thememory 112 of the controller 102 may also be executed by theprocessor(s) 110 to implement a calibration module 130. Specifically, inseveral embodiments, the calibration module 139 may be configured toexecute a calibration routine for calibrating one or more parametersimpacting the implementation of the variety change procedure. Forexample, as will be described below in greater detail, it may bedesirable, in certain instances, to execute an on-the-fly calibrationroutine during the planting operation to calibrate or update thestarvation data being used to calculate the associated starvationdistance SD. In such instances, to execute the calibration routine, thecalibration module 130 may be configured to cut-off the supply of seedscurrently being delivered to the seed meter 68 and monitor the operationof the seed meter 68 until one or more starvation indicators aredetected that indicate that the seed meter 58 is about to be starved ofseeds. For instance, the calibration module 130 may be configured todetect a given number of skips during operation of the seed meter 68,thereby providing an indication that the seed meter 68 is nearly starvedof seeds. Once the starvation indicator(s) is detected, the calibrationmodule 130 may be configured to reinitiate the supply of seeds to theseed meter 68 to prevent actual starvation of the seed meter 68. Thedata collected during the calibration routine may then be recordedwithin the controller's memory 112 and subsequently used to calibratethe pre-existing starvation data. For instance, the calibration module130 may record the elapsed time or the amount of seeds dischargedbetween when the supply of seeds was cut-off and when the starvationindicator(s) was detected. Such data may then be used, for example, toupdate or calibrate the starvation seed count data stored within thevariety change database 122.

It should be appreciated that, to detect the starvation indicator(s),the controller 102 may be communicatively coupled to one or more seedsensors 132 configured to monitor one or more seed-related parameters.For example, in one embodiment, the seed sensor(s) 132 may correspond toa seed tube sensor(s) mounted within the associated seed tube 72 of eachrow unit 28 to allow seed skips and/or the number of seeds dischargedfrom the seed meter 68 to be detected. In another embodiment, the seedsensor(s) 132 may correspond to a sensor(s) configured to detect seedscontained within the seed meter 68 (or a lack thereof), such as aninternal seed pool sensor configured to detect seeds within a seedchamber of the seed meter 68 or a seed sensor configured to detect seedsbeing conveyed by a seed disk of the seed meter 68.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 102 may also include acommunications interface 134 to provide a means for the controller 102to communicate with any of the various other system components describedherein. For instance, one or more communicative links or interfaces 136(e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between thecommunications interface 134 and the seed supply device(s) 102 to allowthe controller 102 to transmit control signals for controlling theoperation of the seed supply device(s) 104. Similarly, one or morecommunicative links or interfaces 138 (e.g., one or more data buses) maybe provided between the communications interface 134 and the GPS device126 to allow the location data from the GPS device 1126 to betransmitted to the controller 102. Moreover, one or more communicativelinks or interfaces 140 (e.g., one or more data buses) may be providedbetween the communications interface 134 and the seed sensor(s) 132 toallow the sensor data to be transmitted to the controller 102.

It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the controller 102 ofthe disclosed system 100 may correspond to a vehicle controller of thework vehicle configured to tow the planter 20 or the controller 102 maycorrespond to an implement controller of the planter 20. Alternatively,the controller 102 may form part of a distributed computer network thatincludes or is in communication with the vehicle controller and/or theimplement controller.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a flow diagram of one embodiment of acontrol algorithm 200 that may be utilized when switching between seedtypes during the performance of a planting operation is illustrated inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, thecontrol algorithm 200 will be described herein as being implemented bythe controller 102 of the system 100 described above with reference toFIG. 4. However, it should be appreciated that the various processesdescribed below may alternatively be implemented by a separate computingdevice or by a combination of computing devices. In addition, althoughFIGS. 7-9 depict control steps or functions performed in a particularorder for purposes of illustration and discussion, the controlalgorithms discussed herein are not limited to any particular order orarrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures providedherein, will appreciate that various steps or functions of thealgorithms disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/oradapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control algorithm 200 is initiated when theplanter 20 begins a planting pass across the field (e.g., at 202). As isgenerally understood, each planting pass may correspond to apredetermined path based on guidance lines set for the planter 20.Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, as the planter 20 makes its passacross the field, the controller 102 may be configured to receive inputdata and/or access data stored within its memory 112 for implementingthe control algorithm 200. For example, at 204, GPS data may be receivedfrom the GPS device 126 for monitoring the position of the planter 20and the row units 28 within the field. Additionally, the controller 102may access prescription data stored within its prescription database118, such as a planting prescription map for the field. For instance, asindicated above, the controller 102 may be configured to continuouslymonitor the location of the planter 20 and the row units 28 (e.g., viathe GPS data 204) relative to the prescription map to determine whichseed type should be planted and to identify the location of variety zoneboundaries that may be encountered along the current planting pass.

As shown in FIG. 7, at 208, the controller 102 determines whether therow unit(s) 28 will encounter any variety zone boundaries (VZBs) asplanter 20 makes the current planting pass based on the plantingprescription map. If it is determined that the row unit(s) 28 will notencounter any variety zone boundaries VZBs along the current plantingpass, the controller 112, at 210, will continue to monitor the GPS datafor changes in the prescribed path of the planter 20, thereby allowingthe controller 102 to determined when the planter 20 has turned to makea different planting pass across the field along a new guidance line.However, if it is determined that the row unit(s) 28 will encounter avariety zone boundary VZB along the current planting pass, thecontroller, at 212, will calculate a variety change distance (VCD) fromthe variety zone boundary VZB, thereby allowing the controller 102 toidentify the location of the variety change boundary VCB (e.g., at 214)at which the variety change procedure will need to be initiated as therow unit(s) 28 moves toward the variety zone boundary VZB.

Referring briefly to FIG. 8, a flow diagram of one embodiment ofsub-algorithm for calculating the variety change distance (VCD) isillustrated. To calculate the variety change distance (VCD), thecontroller 102 may be configured to initially calculate or determineboth a starvation distance SD and a transition distance TD (e.g., at 216and 218). As shown in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the starvation distanceSD may be calculated based at least in part on one or more sets of inputdata, such as the starvation data (e.g., at 220) stored within thecontroller's memory 112 and the target planting population for the rowunit(s) 28 (e.g., at 222). As indicated above, the starvation data mayinclude, for example, a starvation seed count corresponding to anestimated number of seeds that should be remaining within the seed meter68 upon cutting-off the supply a given seed type to the meter 68 less agiven seed margin or buffer (e.g., less 10% of the estimated number ofseeds). In such an embodiment, using the starvation seed count (e.g., agiven number of seeds) and the target planting population (e.g., inseeds/inch), the controller 102 may, at 216, be configured to calculatethe starvation distance SD across which the row unit(s) 28 will be movedfollowing the supply of the current seed type being cut-off from themeter 68 before the seeds of the current seed type have beensubstantially evacuated from the seed meter 68. It should be appreciatedthat, as described herein, the seed meter 68 may, for example, besubstantially evacuated of seeds when the remaining amount of seeds isgenerally equal to or less than the amount of seeds associated with theseed buffer or margin applied to determine the starvation seed count.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the transitiondistance TD may be calculated based at least in part on one or more setsof input data, such as the transition data (e.g., at 224) stored withinthe controller's memory 112 and/or the target planting population forthe row unit(s) 28 (e.g., at 226). As indicated above, the transitiondata may include, for example, an estimated number of metered seeds foreffectively evacuating the previous seed type from the seed meter 68once the supply of the new seed type has been initiated. In such anembodiment, by knowing the estimated transition time period and thecurrent speed of the row unit(s) 28, the controller may, at 218, beconfigured to calculate the transition distance TD across which the rowunit(s) 28 will be moved upon initiating the supply of the new seedtype. In addition to such estimated transition time period (or as analternative thereto), the transition data may include, for example, apredetermined seed transition ratio defining the ratio at which theseeds of the new seed type will be discharged from the seed meter 68 inrelation to the seeds of the previous seed type. In such an embodiment,by knowing the predetermined seed transition ratio and the targetplanting population, the controller may, at 218, be configured tocalculate the transition distance TD across which the row unit(s) 28will be moved upon initiating the supply of the new seed type.

As shown in FIG. 8, upon calculating the starvation distance SD and thetransition distance TD, the controller 102 may, at 228, calculate thevariety change distance VCD as a function of such distances as well asthe transition split percentage (TS %) defined for the plantingoperation. For example, as indicated above, the controller 102 may, inone embodiment, receive the transition split percentage TS % as anoperator-defined input (e.g., at 230). Alternatively, the transitionsplit percentage TS % may be defined or selected via any other means,such as by being defined as part of the planting prescription for thefield. Regardless, utilizing the starvation distance SD, the transitiondistance TD, and the transition split percentage TS %, the controller102 may calculate the variety change distance VCD using, for example,Equation 1 provided above.

Referring back to FIG. 7, upon determining the variety change distanceVCD at 212, the controller 102 may, at 214, identify the location of thevariety change boundary VCB relative to the variety zone boundary VZB.As indicated above with reference to FIG. 6, the variety change boundaryVCB may be defined by spacing the variety change boundary VCB apart fromthe variety zone boundary VZB along the row unit's current planting passin the direction opposite the travel direction by the variety changedistance VCD. As such, the variety change boundary VCB may identify thelocation within the field at which the variety change procedure is to beinitiated by the controller 102.

As shown in FIG. 7, after determining the location of the variety changeboundary VCB, the controller 102 may, in certain instances, execute anoptional calibration routine (e.g., at 232), which will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 9. Regardless of whether the calibrationroutine is performed, the controller 102 may then, at 234, determinewhether any deviations from the prescribed path of the planter 20 havebeen made. If so, the control algorithm 200 will loop back to 208.However, if no deviations from the prescribed path of the planter 20have been made (thereby indicating that at least one row unit 28 isstill traveling along the current planting pass and will intersect thevariety zone boundary VZB), the controller 102 may, at 236, determinewhether the row unit(s) 28 has reached the previously determinedlocation of the variety change boundary VCB. If not, the controlalgorithm 200 will loop back to 234. However, once the controller 102determines that the row unit(s) 28 has reached the variety changeboundary VCB, the controller 102 may, at 238, initiate the varietychange procedure for switching seed types along the current plantingpass for the planter 20.

The variety change procedure may generally be executed as describedabove. For example, upon reaching the variety change boundary VCB, thecontroller 102 may cut-off or terminate the supply of the current seedtype to the seed meter 68 (e.g., via control of the associated seedsupply device 104) to allow the seeds of the current seed type to besubstantially evacuated from the seed meter 68 during the starvationphase of the procedure. Once the row unit(s) 28 has traveled thecalculated starvation distance SD, the controller 102 may then cut-on orinitiate the supply of the new seed type to the seed meter 68. The rowunit(s) 28 may then travel the calculated transition distance TD duringthe transition phase of the variety change procedure as the remainder ofthe seeds of the previous seed type are effectively discharged from theseed meter.

Referring now to FIG. 9, as indicated above, the controller 102 may, incertain instances, be configured to execute an in-field calibrationroutine as the planter 20 is making its current planting pass across thefield. As shown in FIG. 9, at 240, the controller 102 may determinewhether the distance defined between the current location of the rowunit(s) 28 and the determined location of the variety change boundaryVCB is greater than a minimum calibration distance required to performthe calibration routine. Such minimum calibration distance may becalculated or determined by the controller 102 based on, for example,the estimated number of seeds in the meter (e.g., as determinedexperimentally from previously performed calibrations) and the targetplanting population. If the distance defined between the currentlocation of the row unit(s) 28 and the location of the variety changeboundary VCB is not greater than the minimum calibration distance, thecontroller 102 may, at 242, determine that the calibration routineshould not performed. The control algorithm 200 may then return to 234in FIG. 7. However, if the distance defined between the current locationof the row unit(s) 28 and the location of the variety change boundaryVCB is greater than the minimum calibration distance, the controller 102may, at 244, perform a starvation calibration routine to allow thestarvation data stored within the controller's memory 112 to be updatedor calibrated.

For example, to execute the calibration routine, the controller 102 maybe configured to cut-off the supply of seeds currently being deliveredto the seed meter 68 and monitor the operation of the seed meter 68until one or more starvation indicators are detected that indicate thatthe seed meter 68 is about to be starved of seeds. Once the starvationindicator(s) is detected, the controller 102 may be configured toreinitiate the supply of seeds to the seed meter 68 to prevent actualstarvation of the seed meter 68 as the planter 20 continues to make thecurrent planting pass. The data collected during the calibration routinemay then be recorded within the controller's memory 112 and subsequentlyused to calibrate or update the pre-existing starvation data. Forinstance, the controller 102 may record the elapsed time or the amountof seeds discharged between when the supply of seeds was cut-off andwhen the starvation indicator(s) was detected. Such data may then beused, for example, to update or calibrate the starvation seed count datastored within the variety change database 122.

As shown in FIG. 9, after performing the calibration routine, thecontroller 102 may, at 246, calculate an updated variety change distanceVCD based on the updated or calibrated starvation data. For instance,assuming a change in the determined starvation seed count, thestarvation distance SD will need to be recalculated. The variety changedistance VCD may then be calculated by inputting the newly calculatedstarvation distance into Equation 1. Thereafter, at 248, the controller102 may be configured to calculate an updated variety change boundaryVCB based on the updated variety change distance VCD. The controlalgorithm 200 may then continue at 234 in FIG. 7 with the updatedvariety change boundary VCB being used by the controller 102 at 236 inFIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method300 for switching between seed types during the performance of a seedplanting operation is illustrated in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter. In general, the method 300 will be describedherein with reference to the system 100 described above with referenceto FIG. 4 and the control algorithm 200 described above with referenceto FIGS. 7-9. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the disclosed method 300 may be implemented withinany other system and/or using any other suitable control algorithm. Inaddition, although FIG. 10 depicts steps performed in a particular orderfor purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussedherein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. Oneskilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, willappreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can beomitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, at 302, the method 300 may include monitoring alocation of a row unit of a planting implement within a field as theplanting implement makes a planting pass across the field while firstseeds of a first seed type are being discharged from a seed meter of therow unit. For example, as indicated above, the controller 102 may beconfigured to receive GPS data from an associated GPS device 126 formonitoring the location of the planter 20 and the row units 28 withinthe field. As a result, the controller 102 may monitor the location ofthe planter 20 and the row units 28 relative to a prescription mapdefined for the field as the planter 20 makes each planting pass.

Additionally, at 304, the method 300 may include determining that therow unit will encounter a variety zone boundary along the planting pass.For example, by accessing the prescription map stored within its memory112, the controller 102 may determine whether the row unit(s) 28 willencounter a variety zone boundary VZB along its current planting pass.

Moreover, at 306, the method 300 may include accessing a transitionsplit percentage associated with a transition distance to be traversedby the row unit relative to the variety zone boundary across which boththe first and second seed types will be planted. For example, asindicated above, the transition split percentage TS % may correspond toan operator-defined input. Alternatively, the transition splitpercentage TS % may correspond to predetermined value forming part ofthe planting prescription for the field.

Referring still to FIG. 10, at 308, the method 300 may includedetermining a variety change distance relative to the variety zoneboundary based at least in part on the transition split percentage and astarvation distance associated with substantially evacuating the seedmeter of the seeds of the first seed type. Specifically, as indicatedabove, the variety change distance VCD may correspond to the summationof the starvation distance SD and the portion of the transition distanceTD defined forward of the variety zone boundary VZB (e.g., as specifiedby the transition split percentage TS %). For instance, in oneembodiment, the variety change distance VCD may be calculated usingEquation 1 provided above.

Additionally, at 310, the method 300 may include terminating a supply ofthe seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter when the row unit islocated a distance from the variety zone boundary corresponding to thevariety change distance. For instance, as indicated above, when thevariety change boundary VCB is reached by the row unit(s) 28, thecontroller 102 may be configured to control the operation of each seedsupply device 104 to cut-off or terminate the supply of seeds of thecurrent seed type to the seed meter 68, thereby initiating thestarvation phase of the variety change procedure.

Moreover, at 312, the method 300 may include initiating a supply ofseeds of a second seed type to the seed meter once the row unit hastraveled the starvation distance across the field upon terminating thesupply of the seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter.Specifically, as indicated above, after cutting-off the supply of seedsof the current seed type, the controller 102 may be configured tocontinue to monitor the location of the row unit(s) 28 as the planter 20travels towards the variety zone boundary VZB. Once the row unit(s) 28has traveled the starvation distance SD, the controller 102 may initiatethe supply of seeds of the new seed type to the seed meter 68 to shiftthe variety change procedure to its seed transition phase.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for switching seed types between a firstseed type and a second seed type during a planting operation, the methodcomprising: monitoring, with a computing device, a location of a rowunit of a planting implement within a field as the planting implementmakes a planting pass across the field while seeds of the first seedtype are being discharged from a seed meter of the row unit;determining, with the computing device, that the row unit will encountera variety zone boundary along the planting pass, the variety zoneboundary identifying a location within the field at which it isprescribed to switch from planting seeds of the first seed type toplanting seeds of the second seed type; accessing, with the computingdevice, a transition split percentage associated with a transitiondistance to be traversed by the row unit relative to the variety zoneboundary across which seeds of both the first and second seed types willbe planted; determining, with the computing device, a variety changedistance based at least in part on the transition split percentage and astarvation distance associated with substantially evacuating the seedmeter of the seeds of the first seed type; when the row unit is locateda distance from the variety zone boundary corresponding to the varietychange distance, terminating, with the computing device, a supply ofseeds of the first seed type to the seed meter; and once the row unithas traveled the starvation distance across the field upon terminatingthe supply of the seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter,initiating, with the computing device, a supply of seeds of the secondseed type to the seed meter.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining, with the computing device, the transitiondistance to be traversed by the row unit.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the transition split percentage corresponds to a percentage ofthe transition distance across which the row unit is to be traversedprior to reaching the variety zone boundary.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein determining the variety change distance comprises determiningthe variety change distance based at least in part on the transitionsplit percentage, the starvation distance, and the transition distance.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the variety change distance isdetermined according to the following relationship:VCD=TS %*TD+SD wherein, VCD corresponds to the variety change distance,TS % corresponds to the transition split percentage, TD corresponds tothe transition distance, and SD corresponds to the starvation distance.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing, with thecomputing device, a prescription map associated with the field todetermine that the row unit will encounter the variety zone boundaryalong the planting pass.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a varietychange boundary is located the variety change distance from the varietyzone boundary along the planting pass, further comprising determining,with the computing device, whether a distance defined between a currentlocation of the row unit within the field and the variety changeboundary is greater than a minimum calibration distance for performingan in-field calibration routine.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: when the distance is greater than the minimum calibrationdistance, performing, with the computing device, the in-fieldcalibration routine to determine an updated starvation distance forsubstantially evacuating the seed meter of the seeds of the first seedtype; and determining, with the computing device, an updated varietychange distance based at least in part on the transition splitpercentage and the updated starvation distance.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein terminating the supply of seeds of the first seed type to theseed meter comprises actively controlling an operation of a seed supplydevice provided in operative association with the seed meter to cut-offthe supply of seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein initiating the supply of seeds of the secondseed type to the seed meter comprises actively controlling the operationof the seed supply device to initiate the supply of seeds of the secondseed type to the seed meter.
 11. A system for switching seed typesbetween a first seed type and a second seed type when performing aplanting operation with a row unit of a planting implement, the systemcomprising: a seed meter; a seed supply device configured to regulate asupply of seeds of the first seed type and the second seed type to theseed meter; and a controller communicatively coupled to the seed supplydevice, the controller including a processor and associated memory, thememory storing instructions that, when implemented by the processor,configure the controller to: monitor a location of the row unit within afield as the planting implement makes a planting pass across the fieldwhile seeds of the first seed type are being discharged from the seedmeter; determine that the row unit will encounter a variety zoneboundary along the planting pass, the variety zone boundary identifyinga location within the field at which it is prescribed to switch fromplanting seeds of the first seed type to planting seeds of the secondseed type; access a transition split percentage associated with atransition distance to be traversed by the row unit relative to thevariety zone boundary across which seeds of both the first and secondseed types will be planted; determine a variety change distance based atleast in part on the transition split percentage and a starvationdistance associated with substantially evacuating the seed meter ofseeds of the first seed type; when the row unit is located a distancefrom the variety zone boundary corresponding to the variety changedistance, control the operation of the seed supply device to terminatethe supply of seeds of the first seed type to the seed meter; and oncethe row unit has traveled the starvation distance across the field uponterminating the supply of the seeds of the first seed type to the seedmeter, control the operation of the seed supply device to initiate thesupply of seeds of the second seed type to the seed meter.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured todetermine the transition distance to be traversed by the row unit. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein the transition split percentagecorresponds to a percentage of the transition distance across which therow unit is to be traversed prior to reaching the variety zone boundaryand along which it is prescribed to plant seeds of the first seed type.14. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured todetermine the variety change distance based at least in part on thetransition split percentage, the starvation distance, and the transitiondistance.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the variety changedistance is determined according to the following relationship:VCD=TS %*TD+SD wherein, VCD corresponds to the variety change distance,TS % corresponds to the transition split percentage, TD corresponds tothe transition distance, and SD corresponds to the starvation distance.16. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configuredto access a prescription map associated with the field to determine thatthe row unit will encounter the variety zone boundary along the plantingpass.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein a variety change boundary islocated the variety change distance from the variety zone boundary alongthe planting pass, the controller being further configured to determinewhether a distance defined between a current location of the row unitwithin the field and the variety change boundary is greater than aminimum calibration distance for performing an in-field calibrationroutine.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein, when the distance isgreater than the minimum calibration distance, the controller isconfigured to perform the in-field calibration routine to determine anupdated starvation distance for substantially evacuating the seed meterof the seeds of the first seed type, the controller being furtherconfigured to determine an updated variety change distance based atleast in part on the transition split percentage and the updatedstarvation distance.